Gretchen Wyler, a friend and dance partner of many DO40 members, died May 28 in California of complications from breast cancer. She was one of the first Broadway dancers to make the transition from the great White Way to the new world of television, the epicenter of which was at that time – New York City! She appeared on numerous talk and panel shows and performed many times on the Ed Sullivan show – again, with many of our DO40 members. She was an early Advisory Board Member to our group and always kept in touch to tell us about her latest animal rescue!
Gretchen appeared in Cole Porter’s “Silk Stockings,” and took over for Gwen Verdon in “Damn Yankees” and from Chita Rivera in “Bye Bye Birdie.” One of our DO40 Holiday rituals was to watch a videotape that Gretchen sent for our amusement. It was a compilation of all her television appearances, broken down on a separate piece of paper by the show name, the choreographer and the dancers that backed her up. Everyone would be pointing at the TV screen yelling “That’s Larry! That’s Ronnie! That’s me…with hair!” (yes, Frank Pietri!).
She was very active in animal rights way before it became chic. Gretchen had just retired from her VP post at the Human Society a year ago. Her passion for three things -- dance, animals and her friends -- was well known. She will be missed. If you have an anecdote or story about Gretchen you would like to share, please post it on our discussion board. There is a forum listed there for that purpose.
Gretchen leaves only a brother and sister – and many, many friends. The family will announce plans for a memorial service in the coming days.
